THE LORD IS LEADING US.
By S. ROGERS
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While my mind has been led out to think on the goodness of God, I have felt that I could truly praise him for his goodness and tender mercy toward his people, in the way that he has led them. Step by step, how tenderly, how carefully, and with what wisdom, has he brought them along. Well may we account “that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation.” First, the hour of his judgment was brought to view; then the fall of Babylon, or the church, and our danger if we remained with them after our eyes were opened to its corrupt state. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus were next presented to our minds. These were to be the rule by which his people must live. We were next shown that the use of tea, coffee, and tobacco, was a filthy and hurtful practice. These must all be put away from us if we would be the Lord’s peculiar people. At this advance step many did not endure the test. Then came Systematic Benevolence, and how many have started back at this! Still the work moves on, coming a little closer at each advance step. While we have been passing through these peculiar places, many of us have been led to exclaim, Oh! when shall our trials be over, and our sorrows have an end? When shall we be safe in the kingdom of our Lord? Then we have, as it were, heard a still, small voice, saying to us, “You have not yet drank of the cup; you are not yet purified; you must cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Then we have been led to exclaim, O Lord, how shall this be done? Through the goodness and mercy of the Lord this cry is being answered. Some doubting ones may ask, “How can this be done?” We would direct your attention to the subject of Health Reform now being agitated by our people. This is the great, crowning work to be done for the Lord’s people, and I believe about the last preparatory work for us to do. When we have done this work fully and thoroughly, we shall be ready to receive the refreshing from the Lord, which will be the loud cry of this message. How many of us have longed for the time to come when the loud cry would go forth and prepare us to meet our coming Saviour. But when this subject is presented to us, that we must be thoroughly fitted up before we can receive one drop of the latter rain, oh! how slow we move out in this great and good work. Why is this so? Ah! it is because self, and our darling idol, appetite, must be brought into subjection to the will of God. It must be overcome. This can be done, for we read, that we “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. iv, 13. Again, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Cor. xii, 9. How greatly we are favored by having a Health Institute in our midst, and by knowing how to live healthfully. Do we appreciate this help as we should? This Institute is ordained of God, for the advancement of this great cleansing work. Shall the work go on? or must it be hindered for want of means to carry it forward? I believe that every one that has visited this place since the work began, has been fully satisfied that it is a part of the Lord’s work, and that he has in his good providence fitted up Bro. Lay to stand at the head of it. Shall he have our sympathies, and our encouragement? I believe he will. There is a great responsibility resting upon him, and he feels its weight; and one great burden on his mind is, to know what to do with the sick that are constantly coming to this place for help. Now, shall they have a building sufficient to accommodate all that come, or at least from one to two hundred? Such a building is now needed very much. Unless this can be had, this work will be hindered in its progress. I ask again, Shall they have it? If this is a part of the third angel’s message, it must, and will, go on. I believe the work will move forward. The Lord is not straitened for means to carry on his work. He may let it rest, to prove his people; but the work will soon go forward if the Lord has to raise up another people to accomplish it. I hope, and believe, that this will not be necessary when the brethren understand their duty in this matter. Some may say, “It is a matter of speculation.” If so, who is the gainer? Surely not the Physicians. They are hired and paid by the year. If there is any gain to any one except the sick, it is to those who invest their money here. This, we think, will be a source of gain, both spiritually and temporally. Not long since, I was talking with a wealthy brother, who said he thought it the duty of Sabbath-keepers to gain all they could honestly, to help carry forward the loud cry of this message. Let us illustrate a little. Which costs the greater: to make the necessary preparations for a long journey? or to meet the traveling expenses of that journey? In my own case, it has cost the most to get ready for the journey. Thus, I think it will be in this case. Those who are not willing to assist in making the needed preparations, I fear will not have the pleasure of helping defray the traveling expenses when this people are moving forward. There are many who have done nobly in this good work already, and there is now a chance for others to do likewise. When this enterprise is brought where it should and must eventually be, it will be so convenient and well-arranged that both patients and helpers can carry out the true principles of Hygiene. This I hope soon to see. Then we shall not see the helpers laid aside so often, to recruit. May the Lord move upon the hearts of his people in this matter, is my prayer. S. ROGERS.
Battle Creek, Feb. 25.